Frequently Asked Questions

To apply for admission to the Ph.D. program, you will need to apply to both the Rawls College of Business and the Texas Tech Graduate School. After receipt and processing of all the required documents in the application file
by both the Rawls College of Business and Graduate Admissions at the Texas Tech Graduate
School, the file is sent to the department faculty advisor and is then reviewed by
the department faculty. Upon review of the file by the department faculty, the Rawls
College of Business and Graduate Admissions are notified of the decision. You will
receive a letter stating the final decision on your application from the Office of
Graduate Admissions.

How soon do we process completed information (i.e. When do we inform applicants about
the admission decisions)?

Admissions decisions are made as soon as possible after receiving all required materials,
but it is typically at least a month before all the processing is completed. January
is a particularly busy month at the Rawls College of Business and Graduate Admissions
as they are processing numerous applications. During this time, it could take several
weeks from the date all documents are received before your file is forwarded to the
department for review.

Is there an advantage to applying early?

Applications are typically reviewed by department faculty as the completed files are
received. Some outstanding students might be admitted immediately, while others are
put on a “short list” and considered more carefully after additional applications
have been received. Although applications will continue to be accepted until the deadline, we suggest that you apply by the recommended early application date in order to have the best chances for admission into the Ph.D. program and also access
to the widest array of financial support.

Is there still a chance of admission if I apply late in the application period?

Offers are typically extended throughout the application period up until all available
slots have been filled. If your application is otherwise acceptable, but there are
no openings currently available, you will be put on a “wait list” and will be considered
if a space opens up at a later date (for example, if a student turns down an offer).
You should contact the director of the Ph.D. program in your area of interest to get information on the status of their application process.

Is it possible to arrange a visit to Texas Tech?

Applicants are welcome to visit the campus, and appointments can be arranged for applicants
to meet faculty members as well as currently enrolled Ph.D. students. Contact the
director of the Ph.D. program in your area of interest to determine the best time for your visit.

What are the admission criteria?

All applicants will be considered and prospective students will be profiled based
on work experience, academic records, GMAT score, recommendation letters, and essays.
While there are no minimum criteria for admission, students accepted into the Ph.D.
program often have a graduate degree with a GPA above 3.75 and a GMAT score above
700. In addition, international students are required to provide proof of English
proficiency. See http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/admissions/international/procedures.php for more information.

Does Rawls accept the GRE instead of the GMAT?

The areas of accounting, finance, management information systems, and statistics accept
either the GMAT or GRE. However, management and marketing require the GMAT.

Is Financial Assistance/ Scholarship/Fellowships provided to all accepted applicants?

Students can purchase health insurance through Academic Health Plans. All registered international students on non-immigrant visas enrolled in one (1)
or more credit hours are required to purchase the Student Health Insurance Plan and
are automatically enrolled in the plan unless evidence of coverage is provided that
meets the Texas Tech University international student requirements.

What are the academic requirements?

The Rawls College of Business requires that doctoral students must maintain at least
a 3.20 GPA. The GPA is computed on all graduate courses included on the degree program.
Students falling below a 3.2 GPA will be subject to probationary action.

What are the residency requirements?

The Ph.D. program in business administration is a full-time program. Doctoral students
are expected to maintain continuous enrollment until they graduate. In addition, the
Graduate School at Texas Tech University requires all doctoral students to complete,
in residence, a minimum of one year full-time graduate study beyond the master's degree
(or beyond the equivalent of this degree if the student proceeds to doctoral work
without taking a master's degree), regardless of the amount of graduate work completed
elsewhere.

When is a dissertation topic chosen?

Doctoral students are encouraged to begin evaluating possible dissertation topics
while completing course work and qualifying examinations. When all required courses
and examinations have been completed, students are recommended for candidacy for the
doctoral degree to the Graduate School. Upon admission to candidacy, a three-member
doctoral dissertation committee is formed to guide the design and conduct of dissertation
research. A formal proposal of the dissertation must be successfully defended before
the student proceeds with dissertation research. The candidate defends the dissertation
at a final examination conducted by the members of the dissertation committee before
an audience of faculty and graduate students.